Staffing levels now safe at Lismore Base ED

AS part of the state’s historic hospital staffing reforms, the Lismore Base Hospital emergency department has now begun rostering to Safe Staffing Levels.

The hospital has recently recruited 27 nurses to fulfil the staffing level regulatory requirements.

The staffing boost on all shifts will enable the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department (ED) resuscitation beds, and one-to-three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds.

Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels in EDs, which treat some of the most critically ill patients, is being phased progressively across other key areas.

NSW Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said it was one of the largest structural reforms to the health workforce in a generation.

“We are continuing to make good on our commitment to nurses with the introduction of safe staffing ratios in our hospitals,” Park said.

“More staff, more hospitals, more beds, lower wait times and better patient outcomes, it’s as simple as that.”

Fifty EDs have started implementing Safe Staffing Levels across NSW, with 17 having completed recruitment and more than 600 nurses recruited in EDs since the rollout began.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment to 2,480 staff over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, NSW Health, and local health districts.

NSW Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said nurses cared for community members when they needed it the most.

“Our dedicated nurses work hard every day, in the best possible way,” Saffin said.

“High-quality healthcare depends on safe staffing, and the new ratios show the government’s commitment to a safer workplace for nurses and patients alike.”